IHD Emergency Visits

Overall

Ischaemic Heart Disease or IHD is characterized by a reduction in blood supplied to the heart caused by disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. The most common forms of IHD which result in emergency visits are angina pectoris (chest pain) and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). In 2016, there were over 1,800 IHD-related emergency visits in Simcoe Muskoka.

The age-standardized rate for IHD emergency visits in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2016 was 284 (271.1, 297.4) visits per 100,000 population, which was significantly higher than the Ontario rate of 186 (184.0, 188.4) visits per 100,000 population. The standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) for IHD emergency visits in Simcoe Muskoka compared with Ontario was 1.52 (1.45, 1.59), which means that there was a 52 per cent greater IHD emergency visit experience in Simcoe Muskoka relative to Ontario in 2016.

The IHD emergency visit rates in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario declined significantly for the time period from 2003 to 2016, with an average decrease in the rates of five per cent (-7.1, -3.3) per year in Simcoe Muskoka and six per cent (-6.8, -5.4) per year for the province overall. The rates in Simcoe Muskoka were significantly higher than the provincial rates each year over this time period.

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By Sex

In 2016, the age-standardized IHD emergency visit rate among Simcoe Muskoka males was 358 (337.2, 380.7) visits per 100,000, which was significantly higher than the female rate of 216 (200.7, 232.2) visits per 100,000. The IHD emergency visit rates for Ontario were significantly lower than the Simcoe Muskoka rates for both males and females in 2016. There was a significant downward trend in the IHD emergency visit rates for both males and females in Simcoe Muskoka over the 14-year period between 2003 and 2016.

By Age Group

Emergency visits for IHD increase significantly with age. The age-specific rate for IHD emergency visits between 2011 and 2016 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 1645 (1594, 1696) visits per 100,00 population (75+). The age-specific rates in Simcoe Muskoka were significantly higher than their respective provincial rates for all age groups among adults 20 years of age and older.

By Income

For the time period from 2011 to 2016 (combined), Simcoe Muskoka residents living in areas with the highest prevalence of low-income had significantly higher rates of IHD emergency visits when compared with all other low-income areas.